Pat McAfee Is Throwing His Weight Around On ESPN Monday

Pat McAfee is showing on Monday why he's probably the most important figure at ESPN in 2026. The former NFL punter turned sports media personality has some competition up top, from the likes of Stephen A. Smith, Kirk Herbstreit, Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, Scott Van Pelt and others. However, if ...

by Andrew Holleran

Mar 10, 2026

Pat McAfee on his radio show.

Pat McAfee is showing on Monday why he's probably the most important figure at ESPN in 2026.

The former NFL punter turned sports media personality has some competition up top, from the likes of Stephen A. Smith, Kirk Herbstreit, Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, Scott Van Pelt and others.

However, if Monday's coverage of NFL free agency is any indication, it's McAfee's world at ESPN and everyone else is just living in it. McAfee's show is running point of ESPN's coverage of NFL free agency.

ESPN analyst Pat McAfee broadcasts live from the sidelines of Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA prior to the start of the Pittsburgh Panthers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish game on November 15, 2025.
© Michael Longo / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images&period;

McAfee's show is leading live coverage of NFL free agency on Monday - and Adam Schefter is basically locked in a room, providing live updates for the show.

Just last year, McAfee had essentially banned Schefter from his show. But, fast forward to one year later, and McAfee has Schefter providing contend for his show, live on the air on MOnday afternoon.

Ben Koo of Awful Announcing shared the insight.

"What a difference a year makes. A year ago, Schefter didn't appear on PMS, instead appearing on ESPN2 for the start of free agency. Schefter was effectively banned from PMS for the perceived slight until a report surfaced. Schefter is now behind a glass door in the Thunderdome," he wrote.

The Awful Announcing owner added: "If anyone is under the illusion that ESPN has soured on Pat, or won't do anything to accommodate him, the amount of juice he has at the network is pretty clear. He's pretty much undefeated at getting what he wants."

McAfee is basically the king of ESPN at this point.